“The job is … arm candy?” Selene had taught her that phrase. She hated it.
“Pretty much. We’re hoping no one asks you anything directly.”
“Triton forbid I have an opinion or personality.”
“We’ve seen what happens when you go rogue.”
“All right. All right,” Finn said. He held his hands up. “Can we not go there today?”
“What packaging are you putting me in?” she asked.
Henry didn’t bite the bait. She saw his mouth part to do just that, but a glance toward Finn’s uncharacteristically hard face had him closing it again.
“Arden will be dropping off an outfit later. It’s not a formal event.”
“Do I have to wear heels?”
“In the interest of not having a meme of you falling on your face, we’re going with flats until you get more practice in the heels.”
“Really looking forward to that.”
Iris reached for her mug, getting momentarily distracted by the way her new ring shimmered in the light.
“After the town hall, you will have media training,” Henry said.
It was hit after hit, and she hadn’t even finished her coffee yet.
“Fine.”
“You all right?” Finn asked.
“Tired,” she admitted.
“Saw your light on at three.”
“I was reading.”
“The books I gave you?” Henry asked, surprised and hopeful.
“By the tides, no. It was a Caprica Coraline book.”
“The mermaid?” Finn asked.
“You know her?” Iris asked, head snapping up. Was she pleasantly surprised? Absolutely. Was she happy about that? Debatable.
“I do. She’s incredibly prolific.”
“Finn here has been brushing up on his mermaid customs. Her name came up.”
“You have?” Iris asked. She wasn’t sure if she wasmeant to be flattered by that. Because it was likely some ploy to know how to manipulate her better.
“I didn’t even have to suggest it,” Henry said, moving out of the kitchen at the sound of a knock at the door.
Iris glanced at her fiancé, trying to read something real beneath all the political polish.
“There’s my gorgeous little mermaid mannequin,” Arden greeted, breezing into the room in a pair of black slacks and a tight button-up black shirt patterned with little red hearts. He held a garment bag draped over one arm and a leather bag in his hand.
“Ugh,” she grumbled.